Locking band assembly

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a locking band assembly for securing covers on drums and other similar applications. Such a locking band assembly includes a handle which, together with a link, functions as a lever to draw end portions of the locking band together. After the handle is in the band tightening position thereof, it is latched in place. This disclosure particularly relates to the provision of an extension on the handle engageable with a lock member of the latch mechanism to hold the handle in place during the actuation of the latch mechanism.

United States Patent 1 1 3,637,257

Uncapher 1 Jan. 25, 1972 [54] LOCKING BAND ASSEMBLY 2,966,378 12/1960 Carpenter ..292/256.69 3,070,397 12/1962 Rodish ...292/256.69 [72] Invent Charles Uncaph"! Wmh, 11L 3,261,632 7/1966 Schoefer ..292/256.69 [73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc., New

York N Y Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy [22] F'Ied: May 22, 1970 Attorney-Diner, Brown, Ramik & Holt 21 Appl. No.: 39,768

57 ABSTRACT 52 us. (:1. ..292/256.69 24/68 T 220/55 T This dischsure 8 band assembly Sewing 5 1 1 1m. 01 11650 45/34 mums and Similar appicafims' Such a 58 Field ofSearch ..292/2 56 :69 2 2 0/55 T 55 AN band assembly includes a handle which mgethe' with a functions as a lever to draw end portions of the locking band 24 68 T, 27

l 0 27] together. After the handle is in the band tightening position [56] References Cited thereof, it is latched in place. This disclosure particularly re- 7 lates to the provision of an extension on the handle engageable UNITED STATES PATENTS with a lock member of the latch mechanism to hold the handle 2,579,975 l2/195l Scott ..292/256.69 in place during the actuation ofthe latch mechanism 2,864,638 12/1958 Nelson ..292/256.69 I 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN25 1972 w- .m E S N MN M/VENTDR CHARLES RUNCAPHER TTOQNEYS LOCKING BAND ASSEMBLY This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in locking band assemblies, particularly locking band assemblies for securing covers on drums, and more particularly relates to means for facilitating the retention in place of the handle of the locking band assembly while it is being latched in its band tightening position.

This invention relates in general to a locking band assembly of the type disclosed in the patent to Harry A. Scott et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,579,975, issued Dec. 25, 1951. In a conventional locking band assembly, a handle is pivotally connected to one end of the band and a link is pivotally connected to the other end of the band and to the handle with the handle acting as a lever. The handle is swung to a position alongside the band to tighten the band. In this position, the handle is in a slightly overcenter position, but normally must be held against the band while it is being latched in place. Since the latch has a snap action, at times the latching action becomes difficult.

In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide means for automatically retaining the handle in the band tightening position as the lock member is moved towards the handle latching position whereby the handle may be released and only the movement of the lock member to the handle latching position need be further considered.

In accordance with this invention, the free end of the handle is provided with a forked member which is engageable around the pivot for the lock member and which is lockable behind the lock member automatically as the lock member is swung towards its handle latching position whereby after an initial movement of the lock member, the handle is secured in its band tightening position and it is no longer necessary to hold the handle as the lock member is being swung into engagement with the handle to latch it in position.

A further feature of this invention is the provision on one end of the lock member of a rounded end portion which may be readily received in the forked member and with the lock member otherwise being offset away from the band whereby when the lock member is swung towards its handle latching position, it will automatically secure the forked member in position relative to the band to hold the handle in its band tightening position as it is being latched.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a locking band assembly and shows the handle portion thereof which is formed in accordance with this invention, the handle being in its open position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 and shows the band in its tightened or clamping position.

P10. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the free-end portion of the handle and shows the specific details of the latch mechanism associated therewith.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a locking band assembly which is generally identified by the numeral 5. The locking band the band. assembly 5 includes an elongated band 6 having end portions 7 and 8 which are disposed in rather widely spaced relation in the released position of the band, and which end portions 7 and 8 are brought into close proximity in the retaining position of the band.

Although no specific application of the locking band 6 has been specifically illustrated herein, it is to be understood that the band 6 may be utilized in securing a cover to a drum in the manner specifically disclosed in the Scott, et al. US. Pat. No. 2,579,975 It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to the specific configuration of the band 6 or the manner in which it cooperates with elements which are locked thereby.

The locking band assembly 5 also includes a locking handle construction which is generally identified by the numeral 10. The locking handle construction 10 includes a hinge II which is secured to the end portion 7 of the band 6 by means of a pair of rivets 12'. A handle 12, which is arcuate in outline to conform to generally the outline of the band 6, is hingedly connected at one end to the end portion 7 of the band by means of a hinge pin 13 carried by the hinge 11.

It is to be particularly noted that the handle 12, although it is formed of sheet metal, is of a configuration which provides for great resistance against bending. It is to be particularly noted that the central portion of the handle 12 is substantially of a box configuration.

The handle 12 has pivotally connected thereto a link 14 by means of a pivot pin 15. It is to be noted that the link 14 is also connected to the end portion 8 of the band 6 by means of a hinge 16 and a hinge pin 17. The hinge 16 is secured to the band 6 by means of a pair of rivets 18. It is to be noted particularly that the link 14 is of a channel configuration and has extending from one end thereof a pair of ears 20 which are disposed above and below the handle 12 and through which the pivot 15 passes. In a like manner, the opposite end of the link 14 is provided with a pair of cars 21 between which a portion of the end 16 is disposed and through which the pivot pin 17 passes. It is to be further noted that the arms 21 have portions extending transversely thereof which are curved and open towards one another so as to provide clearance for the heads of the hinge pin 13 and thereby facilitate the registration of the link 14 with the handle 12.

After the handle 12 is swung to a band tightening position, as is shown in FIG. 2, it is locked in this position by a latch mechanism which is generally identified by the numeral 22. The latch mechanism basically includes a lock member 23 which is pivotally mounted on the band 6 by means of a pivot 24 which may be in the form of a rivet. The lock member 23 includes an arm 25 having a longitudinal recess 26 stamped in the outer surface thereof. The arm 25 terminates in a U- shaped portion 27 which is disposed substantially transversely of the arm 25. The U-shaped portion 27 further includes a free leg 28 having an aperture 30 formed therein.

Referring once again to the construction of the handle 12, it is to be noted that the channel-shaped configuration thereof includes a web 31, an upper flange 32 and a lower flange 33.

As is clearly shown in the drawing, the flange 33 terminates short of the free end of the handle 12 in a downwardly projecting ear 34. The ear 34 has an aperture 35 therethrough with which the aperture 30 of the leg 28 may be aligned for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

it is also to be noted that the web 31 is provided at the extreme end thereof with a depending ear 36 which projects partially coextensive with the web 31 and partially therebelow. The ear 36 is spaced from the adjacent portion of the web 31 by a notch 37 formed in the lower part of the web 31 and is provided with an inwardly projecting detent 38 receivable in the recess 26 of the arm 25.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing description of the latch mechanism 22 that after the handle 12 has been swung to its band tightening position alongside the band, as is shown in F IG. 2, it is necessary that it must be held in this position until the lock member 23 is swung to lock the handle 12 against movement away from the band 6. Although in the present band assembly the lock member 23 is engaged behind the car 36, in prior arrangements, it was engaged outwardly of the equivalent of the ear 36 so as to prevent movement of the handle 12 away from the band 6.

In order that the handle 12 may be released at the time the latch mechanism is being actuated, the free end of the handle 12 is provided with a forked member 40. The forked member is illustrated as being formed integral with the handle 12, but may be in the form of a separate member suitably secured to the handle 12 as by riveting or welding. The forked member 40 includes a strap portion 41 which has an integral connection with the end of the web 31 which is reinforced by an elongated radially outwardly projecting rib 39 and extends radially inwardly towards the'band 6 so that the remainder of the forked member 40 may lie substantially flush against the outer surface of the band 6.

That end of the forked member 40 disposed remote from the handle 12 is bifurcated and includes a short upper leg 42 and a similarly short lower leg 43 separated by a generally U- shaped notch 44 which opens away from the handle 12.

Also, in accordance with this invention, the lock member 23 is provided with'a rounded end portion 45 which receives the pivot pin 24 and which is of a size to be snugly received within the U-shaped recess 44. It is to be further noted that the arm 25 of the lock member 23 is offset from the end portion 45 away from the band 6 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the forked member 40.

In accordance with the present invention, when the band 6 is to be tightened and locked in its tightened position, the lock member 23 is swung to the inoperative position shown in FIG. 1 at which time the arm 25 projects away from the handle 12. The handle 12 is then swung about the pivot pin l3 towards the band 6 to draw the end portions 7 and 8 of the band together. When the handle 12 comes into contact with the outer surface of the band 6, the forked member 40 will also come into surface engagement with the band 6 with the notch or recess 44 receiving the rounded end portion 45 of the lock member 23. While the handle 12 is held tightly against the band '6, the lock member 23 can be swung downwardly in a counterclockwise direction until the arm 25 thereof overlaps the lower leg 43 of the forked member 40. At this time the handle 12 is securely, although temporarily locked in place against the band 6.

With the handle 12 being retained in place through the cooperation of the lock member 23 and the forked member 40, the handle 12 can now be released and the actuation of the lock mechanism completed. This is accomplished by swinging the lock member 23 further in a counterclockwise direction until it passes behind the ear 36 and the detent 38 carried by the car 36 is received in the recess 26. AT this time, the apertures 30 and 35 and the cars 28 and 34, respectively, become aligned so that a sealing wire may be passed therethrough.

It is particularly pointed out at this time that there is sufficient play within the mounting of the handle 12 to facilitate the swinging thereof vertically to assure alignment of the recess 44 with the rounded end 45 of the lock member 23. It is also pointed out here that the notch 37 provides an adequate space into which a screw driver or other prying tool may be inserted for the purpose of releasing the lock member 23.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the locking ring assembly has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lclaim:

1. A locking band assembly comprising an elongated band and a combined tightening and locking handle construction comprising a hinge carried by said band adjacent one end thereof, a handle hingedly connected to said band for swinging movement to and from a band tightening position overlapping an end portion of said band, a link hingedly connected to the other end of said band and to said handle, cooperating latch means on said band and said handle for locking said handle in said band tightening position, said latch means including a pivot carried by said band and a lock member pivotally mounted on said pivot, and retaining means on said handle independent of said latch means and cooperable with said lock member to hold said handle in said band tightening position during the engagement of said latch means, said retaining means being in the form of a forked member engageable with the exterior of said band around said pivot.

2. The locking band assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock member has a rounded end mounted on said pivot and generally bearing against said band with the remainder of said lock member being offset away from said band, arid said forked member is engageable with the exterior of said band around said lock member rounded end.

3. The locking band assembly of claim 2 wherein said forked member is releaseable only when said lock member is in a fully retracted position.

4. The locking band assembly of claim 1 wherein said forked member is releasable only when said lock member is in a fully retracted position. 

1. A locking band assembly comprising an elongated band and a combined tightening and locking handle construction comprising a hinge carried by said band adjacent one end thereof, a handle hingedly connected to said band for swinging movement to and from a band tightening position overlapping an end portion of said band, a link hingedly connected to the other end of said band and to said handle, cooperating latch means on said band and said handle for locking said handle in said band tightening position, said latch means including a pivot carried by said band and a lock member pivotally mounted on said pivot, and retaining means on said handle independent of said latch means and cooperable with said lock member to hold said handle in said band tightening position during the engagement of said latch means, said retaining means being in the form of a forked member engageable with the exterior of said band around said pivot.
 2. The locking band assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock member has a rounded end mounted on said pivot and generally bearing against said band with the remainder of said lock member being offset away from said band, and said forked member is engageable with the exterior of said band around said lock member rounded end.
 3. The locking band assembly of claim 2 wherein said forked member is releaseable only when said lock member is in a fully retracted position.
 4. The locking band assembly of claim 1 wherein said forked member is releasable only when said lock member is in a fully retracted position. 